BEAR LOAD
 

Going to use my omega on a bear hunt. Is 100 grns of pyrodex and a 250grn shock wave going to be enough or should I increase the powder charge or bullet weight?

RE: BEAR LOAD
 

I would suggest the 338 Platinum Powerbelts and a 2nd/backup loaded pistola on you somewhere. I know of someone chased by a bear after an ML shot wounded it -- having no backup but a pair of fast legs, smart outmanuevering & only a short distance needed to run.

RE: BEAR LOAD
 

That is lots for a bear. I have been doing some reading and watching some videos on muzzleloading and to many people think heavy bullets are better but sometimes thats not true a heavier bullet will pass through a animal and not get a chance to expand and do what it was designed to do. IMO after what I read the lighter bullet will stay in the animal and expand and do more damage the way it was designed to. My father shot his bear this year with 85grns of 777 and a 240grn xtp from the ground. Bear didn't go far we don't carry back up guns just spray. Just so everyone knows I in no way consider myself an expert I am a beginner who reads and likes to learn as much as I can about the sport I am involved in and am just passing on info that I have learned.

RE: BEAR LOAD
 

Go for the bonded shockwaves instead of the regular ones.

RE: BEAR LOAD
 

rem 700 is correct,I tried them on Boar and will use them for bear to. You need something that will give more penitration in case of an angle shot;I diagonaled a boar with a 250 bonded SW went in front shoulder and out the ham from the hole it left on exit it open up good. Lee

RE: BEAR LOAD
 

The majority of bears I have harvested where via the bow and no back up weapon. That said I have harvested a black bear with ML, 300gr xtp under 120 gr RS, shot was 30 yards bear travelled maybe 30 more and gave it up. Bullet slammed the opposite shoulder and exited. My partner also shot one the same evening with 240xtp and100gr pyrodex pellets, his shot wasn't even 20 yards and bear dropped, rolled, bit and scampered 20 yards before come face to face with a pine tree to where he gave up the ghost. His bulletpunched the lungsbefore exiting the opposite rib cage. Both we're spring/forest bears which we don't take the meat from(legal to leave in the field) and we just caped them whole, soI can't say for sure they did not frag but they certainly did the job.Bare in mindnone of these where polymer tipped bullets, so I'd expect at close range increased expansion to the tip will effect penetration. Enough tocause concern,i can't say for sure but if it were me I'd follow the advice of trying the bonded version or at very least moving up to a 300gr version, if hunting bait or expecting close encounters. Just in case is the side I error on.

Good Luck

RE: BEAR LOAD
 

So you killed two bears for the hide. WOW.

RE: BEAR LOAD
 

I guess so but we also provided management which isa desired goal of the DNR in regards to hunting. I have tried many Saskatchewan black bear, spring bears where we hunt have notbeen good so might as well feed the forest critters vs pitch it at home is my thought. Nothing goes to waste in nature, I wish I could say the same about the human race:eek:.